Contends that the issue of diversity and cultural pluralism is generally defined as an educational goal. Presents a lesson using Kurt Vonnegut's "Harrison Bergeron." Includes student objectives, the short story, step-by-step instructional procedures, extension activities, and a list of recommended books on this topic. (CFR)

Asserts that American revolutionaries so revered the rule of law that they relied on it to help rule their slaves. Maintains that Thomas Jefferson was no exception to this dilemma of justifying slavery while upholding liberty. Describes slavery at Jefferson's plantation, Monticello, within a legal and social structure. (CFR)

Contends that artifacts found during archaeological research can open up alternative ways to explore, reexamine, and even rewrite history. Maintains that material culture explores three aspects of Revolutionary American life: (1) the nature of day-to-day life; (2) the fluctuating circumstances of enslaved African-Americans; and (3) how…

Discusses the importance of architecture in Thomas Jefferson's life. Presents a lesson plan based on Jefferson's Monticello and designed to encourage students to identify and understand elements of classical architecture in their local area. Includes a photograph of Monticello and six architectural illustrations. (CFR)

Contends that oral history is a way to involve students in thinking about and understanding history and the contemporary world. Includes a family history chart, recommendations for creating an oral history questionnaire, sample interview questions, and four student oral history writing models. (CFR)

Presents a high school history lesson based on the National Standards for United States History. Considers the effect of the American Revolution and the Declaration of Independence on free and enslaved African Americans. (CFR)

Discusses reasons for studying history. Suggests that compelling arguments for historical study will affect students' attitudes throughout life. Evaluates common rationales for studying history. Includes history as fun, tradition, great ideas, human folly, escapism, and nationalist legitimation. Urges that students be taught history as facts that…

Analyzes problems confronted when integrating women into U.S. history textbooks and college survey courses. Reviews feminist scholarship to examine how women's experiences have differed from men's throughout U.S. history. Although acknowledging the importance of exploring these differences, argues scholars also must investigate women's…

Presents a lesson tracing the legal evolution toward greater justice in U.S. society from 1865-1965 through congressional acts and Supreme Court decisions. Includes student handouts of major civil rights cases, legislation, and background information. Provides a bar graph for evaluating Supreme Court decisions and congressional acts that advance…

Urges that history not focus on world history to the extent that the histories of people of color are ignored or lost in the larger world view. Suggests that contemporary accounts of U.S. history be rewritten to integrate the experiences of diverse groups of people. Argues that such change can help eliminate racism. (DK)

Reports on interviews with 18 Oregon social studies teachers about what justice is and how they teach it. Provides 13 recommendations on where to include justice in the curriculum. Concludes that adolescents should be taught about the difficulties of setting standards for social justice and to value the struggle to do so. (CFR)

Contends that, although civil liberties are part of the higher education and secondary curriculum, the development of constitutional liberty by state supreme courts and state constitutions is almost totally ignored. Reviews 11 college-level textbooks and analyzes their treatment of civil liberties related to state laws and courts. (CFR)

Reports on a study of the treatment of the Second Amendment in 24 secondary-level U.S. history textbooks and 8 U.S. government textbooks. Discusses inadequate and inaccurate interpretations and calls for a portrayal of the Second Amendment that reflects what the founding fathers wanted and what the courts have decided. (CFR)

Traces social and working history of Sicilian women. Examines this history's significance to the development of Ybor City, an immigrant community settled by Sicilians, Cubans, and Spaniards in Tampa, Florida. Presents experiences and lifestyles of women employed in cigar factories, characterizing them as labor radicals yet traditionally domestic.…

Reviews suburbanization of United States, created by assembly line construction, wartime housing shortages, and federal mortgage subsidies. States earlier scholars viewed suburban migration as a solution to urban overcrowding, whereas later scholars examined suburbs as symbolic of U.S. values and conformity, insulated from problems of U.S. cities.…